Sangjin Shin: "Domed Stadium Completion in 4 Years?... Ignorance or Fraud from Those Unaware of Administrative Procedures"

Sangjin Shin, Seongnam Mayoral Candidate, Announces Smart Remodeling Pledge

“Practical Development Instead of a 1 Trillion Won Taxpayer-Funded Dome”…Pushing for a Baseball-Only Stadium

“16 Years for Jamsil Dome, 8 Years for Cheongna Dome”…Direct Criticism of Opponent’s Dome Stadium Pledge

Sangjin Shin, the People Power Party candidate for Mayor of Seongnam, strongly criticized his opponent's pledge to build a domed stadium as "ignorance or outright fraud." Instead, he announced the "Seongnam Sports Complex Smart Remodeling Project," centering on the rapid development of Jungwon District Office, the construction of a baseball-only stadium, and the revitalization of the Seongnam Sports Complex area.

Sangjin Shin, candidate for mayor of Seongnam. Provided by candidate Sangjin Shin

In his pledge announced on the 19th, Shin stated that he would transform the Seongnam Sports Complex area into a sports and cultural hub by: ▲ swiftly pursuing the integrated development of Jungwon District Office, ▲ expediting the completion of a baseball-only stadium, and ▲ attracting a professional baseball team based in Seongnam.

Specifically targeting the recently proposed "650 billion won domed stadium construction pledge," Shin directly criticized it as "an irresponsible, vote-seeking populist promise and an act of deceiving citizens." He emphasized that building a domed stadium is not a simple construction project, but a long-term initiative involving complex administrative procedures, including demolition of the existing stadium, changes to the district unit plan, traffic impact assessments, and investment reviews by Gyeonggi Province and the central government.

Shin pointed out, "Even the Incheon Cheongna Dome, which is being developed by a major corporation, is expected to open in 2028 after construction began in 2020. The Seoul Jamsil Dome is scheduled to open in 2032 after planning started in 2016." He argued, "Ignoring these basic administrative steps and actual time requirements, and claiming a domed stadium can be built within a single term, is either ignorance or a clear act of fraud against the citizens."

He also highlighted the harsh reality of the construction industry, where costs for materials and overall construction have soared.

"With 650 billion won, it is realistically unfeasible to pursue the project, and in reality, it would likely require more than 1 trillion won," Shin noted. "Ultimately, this could lead to a heavier tax burden on citizens," he pointed out.

Concerns about traffic issues were also raised. Shin stated, "If a large-scale construction project lasting over 10 years is carried out in the Seongnam Sports Complex area, which lacks sufficient bypass roads, severe traffic congestion and a slump in the surrounding commercial district will be inevitable."

As an alternative, he proposed the "Smart Remodeling Project." He explained, "Instead of reckless gambling that wastes 1 trillion won of taxpayers' money, I will minimize the city's financial burden and provide residents of the original downtown with a premium sports and cultural space as quickly as possible through the rapid integrated development of Jungwon District Office and prompt completion of the baseball-only stadium."

He further stated, "Once the smart remodeling is completed, Seongnam will be able to host more than 10 first-division professional baseball games annually starting in 2028, and efforts to attract a Seongnam-based professional baseball team will gain momentum." He added, "This is already a matter for which an official agreement and board approval have been completed with the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO)."

Shin warned, "If the stadium is completely demolished and construction begins on an unpromised domed stadium, Seongnam citizens will not be able to watch even a single baseball game in Seongnam for the next 10 years." He fiercely criticized the proposal, saying, "This absurd pledge is reminiscent of the '30-year eyesore sewage treatment plant,' which was neglected for eight years during my opponent's tenure as a National Assembly member, causing tears and complaints from residents."

He reaffirmed, "We cannot entrust Seongnam’s future to irresponsible empty promises that ignore the parking chaos, commercial district collapse, and tax bomb hidden behind a fanciful domed stadium, while also depriving citizens of their already-secured right to watch baseball games. I will safeguard taxpayers’ money and address citizens’ livelihood issues as quickly as possible, making the Seongnam Sports Complex area the greatest source of pride for the original downtown through pragmatic and efficient administration."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.